The New York City return holiday engagement of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's Tony Award-nominated stage production A Christmas Story, The Musical begins performances Dec. 11 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden.

John Bolton
Photo by Carol Rosegg

Original 2012 Broadway cast members Dan Lauria, John Bolton, Erin Dilly and Caroline O'Connor return for the engagement that will run through Dec. 29 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden. The New York run follows stops at Hartford's Bushnell Theatre and the Wang Theatre in Boston.

Lauria (Lombardi, "The Wonder Years") plays Jean Shepherd, with Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic) as The Old Man, Dilly (Nice Work If You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother and O'Connor (Gypsy, Chicago, "Moulin Rouge") as school teacher Miss Shields.

The cast also features Jake Lucas, who was previously seen on Broadway in Newsies, as Ralphie. Eli Tokash (Mary Poppins) plays Ralphie at certain performances. Noah Baird plays little brother Randy.

Pete and Lily, the pooches from last season's production of A Christmas Story, return to cause a ruckus as the Bumpus Hounds. The 2012 run of A Christmas Story, The Musical marked the Broadway debut of Richard Rodgers Award-winning Dogfight songwriters Pasek and Paul. Joseph Robinette authored the book. The score includes such songs as "Red Ryder," "Ralphie to the Rescue," "A Major Award" and "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out."

The musical earned three 2013 Tony Award nominations, including Best Score, Best Book and Best Musical.

The production reflects the work of the original creative team, including Tony-winning director John Rando (Urinetown) and Tony-nominated choreographer Warren Carlyle (Chaplin, Follies, An Evening With Hugh Jackman).

Critics warmed to the production that broke box-office records at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre last Christmas.

According to producers, "In 1940's Indiana, a bespectacled boy named Ralphie has a big imagination and one wish for Christmas—a Red Ryder BB Gun. A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a cranky department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the obstacles that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas dream. A Christmas Story, The Musical is holiday entertainment that captures a simpler time in America with delicious wit and a heart of gold."